PropCast

On the latest episode of PropCast, our co-founder Andrew Teacher is joined by John Lewis Partnership’s Katherine Russell and Anne Breen of Aberdeen Investments to discuss how their partnership to deliver rental homes is creating long-term value for investors and communities alike.

The latest PropCast, hosted by Andrew Teacher and in partnership with Property Week, features Ben Lee, Head of Data and AI at Bidwells, who explains how generative AI is already changing what ‘knowledge work’ is and what successfully integrating tech looks like in the property industry.

This week’s PropCast, hosted by Andrew Teacher, brings one of Irish real estate’s most forward-thinking and innovative executives, Colin MacDonald. MacDonald, having followed an unconventional path into property, puts forward a compelling investment thesis as well as offering sage wisdom on the dos and don’ts of commercial real estate in an increasingly complex market. 

In this week’s PropCast, Marshall, the current chair of the investment committee for the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea’s Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS) – offers a robust, clear-eyed assessment of how pension money should be managed, what’s wrong with government pooling proposals, and why most investors are paying too much in fees. The conversation, led by Andrew Teacher, was direct, illuminating, and refreshingly free from the usual fog of institutional platitudes.

Where does ESG find itself within real estate today, and does it have a future? This type of grand strategy within the sector is what Jon Lovell, co-founder of Hillbreak, is best placed to guide, given his role as one of the first movers and shakers in the industry to recognise the need for bridging the gap between financiers and the narrative-driving sustainability types. This week’s PropCast, with Andrew Teacher and in partnership with Property Week, seeks to engage with the big questions, ranging from the huge risk and opportunity of stranded assets, the looming deadline for 2030 net zero targets, the skills deficit on both sides of the ESG fence and, perhaps most importantly, the profound implications of the Paris Accord’s 1.5°C goal being effectively dead in the water.

Data fuels every aspect of investment, and one company pioneered this change more than any other: IPD. This week’s PropCast, with Andrew Teacher, charts the incredible story of how Rupert Nabarro and the late Ian Cullen laid the groundwork for decades of institutional investment growth when they founded IPD in 1985.

Could a smarter, data-led retrofit strategy unlock billions of pounds in value for investors and governments, boosting energy efficiency and stamping out fuel poverty? These are the big questions Anna Moore, founder at Domna, believes she has the answers to on this week’s episode of PropCast.

In the latest episode of PropCast, Andrew Teacher, co-founder at Lauder Teacher, is joined by Russell Harris KC, one of the UK’s most successful planning barristers. Known for successfully battling appeals for Marks & Spencer on Oxford Street and Renzo Piano’s  Shard, Harris chats warmly about his working class roots in a Welsh mining town and about his journey from defending criminals to listening to classical piano at 3am with Rafael Vinoly . He warmly narrates some of the planning sagas he’s battled through, gaining consent from some of London’s most controversial and high-profile projects. 

In the latest episode of PropCast, Andrew Teacher, co-founder at Lauder Teacher, is joined by Paul May, Director and Head of Real Estate Equity Research at Barclays Investment Bank. With years of experience in the real estate sector, Paul offers valuable insights into the evolving landscape of real estate investment, asset classes, and the challenges facing the market today.

In this week’s episode of PropCast, Andrew Teacher, co-founder of Lauder Teacher, is joined by Lynda Shillaw, the Chief Executive of Harworth Group, a leading regeneration and development company. Lynda’s career is a remarkable story of evolution—one that began with humble roots in South Yorkshire and led her to become the CEO of a FTSE 250 company. In this candid conversation, Lynda discusses her upbringing, pivotal career moments, and her journey in reshaping Harworth into a powerful player in the UK real estate market.

Fresh from delivering a sector-leading set of results and winning the RESI Award for Large BTR Operator of the Year, Rob Hudson, CFO of Grainger, joins Andrew Teacher on this week’s PropCast. Hudson reflects on his career journey, Grainger’s impressive growth, and – as one of the City’s only openly gay CFOs – the important role diversity plays in the corporate world.

In this week’s PropCast, Andrew Teacher, co-founder of Lauder Teacher, is joined by Simon Ricketts, one of the founding partners of Town Legal and a leading expert in planning law. Ricketts, who has spent over 25 years shaping the UK’s legal landscape, talks about his career journey, the evolution of Town Legal, and some of the key challenges facing businesses in the planning and development sector today.

In this episode of PropCast, Andrew Teacher, co-founder of Lauder Teacher, is joined by Zsolt Kohalmi, Global Head of Real Estate and co-CEO of Pictet Alternative Advisors. They discuss Pictet’s unique approach to alternatives, the shift in real estate investment strategies, and how cultural differences across Europe influence investment decisions. Zsolt offers insights into the evolving demand for private assets, the impact of macroeconomic trends, and the growing focus on sustainability in real estate.

In this week’s episode of PropCast, Andrew Teacher, co-founder of Lauder Teacher, is joined by DJ Dhananjai, CIO for Edmond de Rothschild’s UK Real Estate Investment Management business, and James Whidborne, Head of Residential Fund Management UK. They discuss the platform’s conviction-driven investment strategy, which focuses on delivering much-needed rental housing across the UK.

In this week’s episode of PropCast, Andrew Teacher, co-founder at Lauder Teacher, sits down with Simon Betty, Head of Europe for Northwest Healthcare, to discuss his career, the evolving healthcare real estate market, and how the landscape of operational real estate is shifting. Simon’s journey spans various sectors, including retail, hospitality, and healthcare, with roles at Hammerson, Adina, and now Northwest Healthcare. Over a candid conversation, Simon shares insights into his career, the state of healthcare real estate, and emerging trends within the sector.

Dan Batterton has been a key figure in the UK’s real estate sector for over a decade, leading Build to Rent (BTR) investments at L&G’s Asset Management. He has helped establish BTR as a vital part of the housing market, contributing to L&G’s broader residential platform, which spans various housing strategies. Through his innovative approach, he has played a crucial role in transforming residential real estate.

In a recent episode of PropCast, Andrew Teacher, founding partner of Lauder Teacher, sat down with Paddy Allen, CEO of Kinetic Capital. With a longstanding career in real estate and leadership roles at GSA Group and Colliers, Allen now leads Kinetic Capital, a specialist lender in the purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA) sector. Their discussion covered the role of Kinetic Capital, the challenges of PBSA lending, and the evolving real estate landscape.

After nearly 23 years at the British Property Federation, Ian Fletcher is stepping down as Director of Policy, leaving behind a remarkable legacy of leadership, advocacy, and transformation in the UK property sector. In a candid conversation with Andrew Teacher, co-founder of Lauder Teacher, Fletcher reflects on his career, the evolution of the property industry, and the challenges that lie ahead for his successor.

In this episode of PropCast, Andrew Teacher, co-founder at Lauder Teacher, sits down with Ben Green, co-founder of Atrato, to discuss the evolution of real estate investment, the role of resilient income, and how Atrato is positioning itself across multiple asset classes, from supermarkets to social housing and energy transition.

The student housing market has rapidly evolved into one of the most dynamic and resilient sectors within global real estate. With demand for high-quality student accommodation surging, international capital is increasingly recognising the sector’s potential as a stable and lucrative asset class. At the forefront of this transformation is Global Student Accommodation, GSA. As part of the leadership team, John Jacobs, Global Head of Capital Markets has played an integral role in guiding the business to become a global leader in the student housing industry, managing a portfolio spanning 80 cities across 11 countries and assets exceeding $7 billion. GSA’s impressive growth and steadfast commitment to delivering exceptional student accommodation have cemented its position as a trailblazer in the sector. In this exclusive discussion, we delve into John’s insights on the evolving student housing market, the challenges it faces, and the opportunities that lie ahead. Global Expansion and DiversificationJohn Jacobs’ professional journey has taken him around the globe, and GSA reflects his global perspective. Recently, the company expanded its European footprint, by acquiring significant student housing assets, including entering Italy with a 515-bed development site in Milan, and forming a new joint venture to enter into the French market with Nuveen Real Estate through an impressive €540 million deal. This portfolio includes 18 operational assets and four development sites across five leading educational cities. John explains, “We’ve become one of the most globally diversified investment managers in the student housing market. Our international portfolio now includes markets from the US to Australia, and Europe in between, and we’re proud to be a leader in this space.” He emphasises that GSA’s impressive growth stems from a commitment to being a long-term player, combining operational excellence and a strategic vision.The Rise of Institutional Capital in Student HousingThe student housing sector has witnessed a marked shift in how institutional investors view it. Once considered an alternative asset class, student housing is now firmly embedded within the global investment landscape. “Five years ago, student housing was still a niche sector, but today it has become a mainstream investment,” says John. “Private equity giants like Blackstone, GIC, and Brookfield are now making large-scale investments in this space.” He notes that the sector’s proven resilience—especially during the COVID-19 pandemic—has made it an attractive asset class for investors seeking stability and strong returns.This growing investor interest is not surprising given the sector’s long-term growth potential. John highlights that the student housing market remains robust due to its close ties with universities in some of the world’s most prestigious cities. “When you combine the academic reputation of top-tier universities with the attractiveness of global cities like London, Paris, or New York, you have a very compelling investment proposition,” he says. This model of investing in student accommodation near world-renowned universities has provided GSA with a unique opportunity to deliver attractive returns, even during challenging times. The Importance of Data and Location-Driven StrategiesA critical component of GSA’s success is its data-driven approach to location selection. John is adamant that GSA’s global reach is driven by meticulous research and analytics that pinpoint the best locations for student housing investments. “It’s not just about picking a city and building there,” John explains. “We look at the strength of universities, the academic programs they offer, and the student demand in specific areas. It’s a hyper-location driven strategy.”For GSA, understanding the nuances of...